Storyboard Research

Within this post I will be showing you about storyboards

A storyboard is usually associated with a miniature version of the final film and acts like a blue print for a film. It's a plan that shows your script through visuals. This is the most important process stage of pre-production and this helps directors see their detailed ideas of their film before the production stage.

Basic parts of a storyboard conventions is that they are often used in live action films, and in animated films:

1. Camera Movement
2. Shot Selection

Shot Selection

Long Shot:

This is often used to introduce the begging of ones scene, it could also be known as an establishing shot. So, it's a called a long shot because the camera is generally seen to kept far from the subject on which it is being filmed or captured. This is also to capture a larger area, and establishes the audiences perception of the time of day, either night or day or even the whether it is sunny or raining.

Medium Shot:

The medium shot is the most usually common shot used in film. The majority of action happens in a medium shot. This is due to the fact that it is the most closest to how we see things in everyday life. These medium shots are usually framed for a single actor from waist height.

 Close Up Shot:

This close up shot is a fairly important part of films due to the fact that it can help show emotion. Unfortunately though if it is overused then it can really sloppy and not very affective at all. When a close up shot has been used effectively it can also be then turned into a medium shot by the camera panning out and revealing the whole characters emotions and feelings.

Camera Movements

Tilt:
This is when the camera simply moves up and down but still within on it's horizontal axis.

Pan

Again the camera has only a simple movement and that is to move from either left to right or right to left depending on the where the subject is and what they are about to do.

Zoom:

So this is when it actually involves the camera lens to 'zoom' in on the subject without moving the camera. It is used frequently throughout films and has become very popular with the camera operator. It's aim usually is to get the audiences attention and focus in on something that is very important to do with the story line or current scene.

Dolly:
This is for when the camera wants to move toward the subject or even away from it. The name itself originated from where old 'Dolly tracks' used to be used to lay down and heavy cameras used to be moved along them for much more easier use.

Track:
This is pretty similar to a 'Dolly' shot but rather than coming into and from the subject, it in fact travels beside it on tracks.

Here is a Video below that may help you more with understanding how these work:

Benefits Of Creating A Storyboard:

1. It forces you to think through all and every logistics of the film
2. It can determine the plot and the flow of the plot
3. You can determine whether camera angles and movements are successful
4. Determine the graphics and sound effects
5. Allows group discussions both positive and negative criticism about the film
6. Allows organisation of when to shoot and edit

Storyboards

Now I will show you real life examples of Storyboards: 

If you haven't already guessed what film this is from, then it is from the original Jurassic Park.

So now here is the actual footage from the film and to be honest it's pretty spot on:

Another example now. This is from Forrest Gump, the scene includes where Forrest played by Tom Hanks shows the president of America at the time his wound, and well you can see for yourself where he got shot:

Here now is the clip from the actual film:

For my next post I will be showing you our own storyboard for our opening.